Research & Development

After you research a new project, how do you develop as a person? After all, what is the point of research if not to enrich yourself?

FADE IN:
EXT. WASTELANDS - DAY
The ground is smooth and shiny as glass. To the horizon.
AVERY (40s), a timeless gaze of weariness on his soft regal face, sits astride a small GRYPHON with folded wings, lion’s body, eagle’s head.
Gryphon’s collar displays four numbers: “4915”.
GRYPHON
Avery, let’s go home.
AVERY
You are all so eager to have me lose the grant monies. I will win.
Avery rearranges the numbers on Gryphon’s collar. Avery and Gryphon vanish.
The howling wind is alone once more.
EXT. OUTDOOR MARKET - DAY
Gryphon’s collar: “1594”.
High-collared YOUNG MEN and long-skirted YOUNG WOMEN walk arm in arm.
Avery’s face falls.
GRYPHON
All taken. Homeward now?
AVERY
No. No. And look a fool disproved? Lazy fool, I swear I’ll undo you.
GRYPHON
Even if you are to find one...
Avery growls.
EXT. DENSE JUNGLE - DAY
Gryphon walks slowly, Avery on his back. Gryphon’s collar reads: “1495”.
They reach a cliff, look down...
CONQUISTADORS swarm off a ship onto a shore.
GRYPHON
Self-importance, tsk, tsk. ‘Twas your own undoing to wax philosophical at the Grand Council.
AVERY
Curse your tongue!
Avery rearranges the collar numbers.
EXT. AMERICAN SUBURB - DAY
Gryphon’s collar: “1945”. Gryphon perches on a brick wall between houses.
A small group of GIRLS (20) chat over a picket fence.
Avery fixes his gaze on one girl, GAIL. Her slender figure, light breezy skirt, air of genteel daintiness.
Gail looks up, notices Avery in the distance.
She smiles.
Avery’s eyes light up.
Avery bends to Gryphon’s ear.
AVERY
Aha! I win, Gryphon. Be undone.
Gryphon dies, turns to stone.
Avery hops down from the wall. Approaches Gail.
EXT. CITY - DAY (1945)
Gail and Avery stroll, window-shopping.
Hand in hand.
EXT. DRIVE-IN THEATER - DAY
In a huge convertible. Gail and Avery kiss. Long and low.
INT. GAIL’S HOUSE - DAY
Avery perches on the edge of the couch, uncomfortable.
Standing over him, Gail and her PARENTS argue. Point at him.
EXT. DRIVE-IN THEATER - NIGHT
Gail weeps. Avery holds her close.
EXT. GAIL’S HOUSE - NIGHT
Gail, crying, rushes inside.
The door slams in Avery’s face.
Avery turns, slow, walks to the gate.
Avery stops...
He sprints to the door, throws it open, dashes inside.
Comes back out, holds Gail lying across his arms, she’s still crying. But with joy.
Avery runs down the street, twirls with Gail.
Gail’s Parents, bewildered, stand in the door.
INT. TINY CHAPEL - DAY
Avery and Gail, married. Two bored witnesses in a far pew.
INT. TINY APARTMENT - DAY (1955)
Baby cribs in a corner.
Avery (still 40), dressed like a businessman. Gail (now 30), dressed like a waitress. Give each other a huge, sweep-off-your-feet kiss.
They go out the door, ready for the day.
INT. TINY APARTMENT - NIGHT
Avery and Gail enter, the end of an exhausting day.
A peck of a kiss.
EXT. LARGE HOUSE - DAY (1965)
Avery (still 40), holds his hands over Gail’s eyes (now 40).
He releases his hands, lets her see the house.
She screams for joy, hugs him.
INT. CHURCH - DAY (1975)
A wedding.
Avery (still 40) and Gail (now 50), dressed in finery, in the front row. Both faces bathed with happy tears.
INT. AVERY’S HOUSE - DAY (1985)
Avery (still 40) and Gail (now 60) read, comfortable, in matching chairs near a fireplace.
They look up from their books, share a smile.
Avery picks up Gail in his arms.
EXT. AVERY’S HOUSE - DAY
Avery, carrying Gail, runs down the street, twirls.
Their laughter echoes off the houses.
INT. AVERY’S HOUSE - DAY (1995)
Christmas time.
Avery (still 40) and Gail (now 70), surrounded by CHILDREN and GRANDCHILDREN and GREATGRANDCHILDREN, hand out presents.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY (2010)
Gail (now 85) lies in bed, helpless, attached to tubes.
Avery (still 40) at her side... A DOCTOR pats his shoulder.
INT. AVERY’S HOUSE - DAY
Avery sits on the bed, holds Gail lying across his arms.
Kisses her.
AVERY
No. No. You are so young yet.
GAIL
Wherever you come from, wherever you go, will you remember me?
AVERY
How could I forget you wondrous?
INT. AVERY’S HOUSE - DAY
Gail, white, lies unmoving in his arms.
Avery, tears down his cheeks, twirls once with her, tender, slow. Lays her still body on the bed.
EXT. AMERICAN SUBURB - DAY
Gryphon, of stone, still on the eroding brick wall. Just another tacky bird-pooped gargoyle.
Avery, gentle, remembrance, touches the numbered collar.
The stone cracks, crumbles. A new-colored FEMALE GRYPHON emerges, alive.
FEMALE GRYPHON
Ah, you must be Avery. And you failed as the Grand Council predicted?
AVERY
No. No. I was right. It is human to be destined for life and beyond.
FEMALE GRYPHON
Are you off home to publish your findings, then?
AVERY
No. No. I am weak without her now. I am so weak. I am undone...
She wins.
Avery fiddles with Female Gryphon’s collar, now it reads: “1945”. Avery climbs onto her back.
EXT. AMERICAN SUBURB - DAY (1945)
Gail (20), looks up, notices Avery.
She smiles.
FADE OUT.